Staff Counsellor (P)

Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. 

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Coordination Office for the North Pacific based in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), technical guidance of the Regional Staff Welfare Officer in Regional Office (RO) Bangkok, Thailand, and the administrative supervision of the Head of Sub-Office (HoSO) in Chuuk, the Staff Counsellor will be responsible and accountable for the implementation of the IOM Mental Health Strategy in FSM, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau sub-region by developing work plans for nominated Country Offices (COs) that will cover preventative and care elements.

Responsibilities

1. Support with the development and implementation of a CO work plan to improve the mental health and wellbeing of national and international staffs, incorporating preventative and care aspects aligned with the Mental Health Strategy and accountability mechanisms. 
2. Support the implementation of IOM’s Mental Health Strategy in the North Pacific with a particular attention to high risk/hardship conditions through application of established guidelines. 
3. Conduct a workplace mental health assessment and support in addressing identified issues, as appropriate, by applying appropriate interventions based on findings. 
4. Support individual staff members in developing their own wellbeing plans using counselling approaches and established wellbeing frameworks. 
5. Facilitate access to counselling and staff welfare services and provide confidential counselling to staff. 
6. Contribute to the development of educational materials to enhance mental health awareness and wellbeing of staff through application of technical knowledge. 
7. Participate in, when required, and support the coordination of Staff Welfare responses to emergencies and critical incidents in accordance with established response protocols. 
8. Liaise and collaborate with the Staff Welfare Officer and Human Resources (HR) unit as needed, to support delivery of mental health services and related initiatives. 
9. Maintain regular liaison and communication with Unit Heads to assess mental health needs of their staff and contribute in evaluating mental health services offered with the use of analysed feedback and service data. 
10. Analyse implementation practices and recommend improvements to the Staff Welfare Officer that will help strengthen mental health strategy delivery and local support services (e.g. mental health facilities) in the North Pacific. 
11. Analyse and support data collection, monitoring and reporting mechanisms, maintaining accurate records and praparing regular reports that inform service delivery. 
12. Prepare and present up-to-date numbers and statistics of services to the Staff Welfare Officer at RO Bangkok and the CoM.
13. Contribute to the delivery of training and awareness sessions on relevant topics to help managers create a supportive working environment and raise awareness on mental health. 
14. Undertake duty travels, as required, to support the assessment of staff mental health and the CO’s working environment. 
15. Liaise with the Regional Staff Welfare Officer to support coordinated response to complex emergency situations in line with established procedures. 
16. Perform such other relevant duties as maybe assigned. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Counsellor or Psychiatry or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience. 
• Be eligible for licensing/accreditation in the country of training or residence. 

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Minimum two years of practical experience as a counselor advising staff and employers on various aspects of social issues in UN/humanitarian international organizations; 
• Experience with counselling and psychosocial interventions; and,
• Experience of work in emergency and/or geographically isolating contexts a distinct advantage. 

Skills

• Demonstrated familiarity with the impact of working conditions of humanitarian workers on their well-being; 
• Familiarity with diversity and its implementation; 
• Knowledge of modern technologies, e.g. teleservices; and, 
• Excellent communication and writing skills. 

Languages

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) and/or local languages spoken in Micronesia is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation. This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies